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In-Box Review
132
Spandau Maxim lMG 08
The Fliegertruppe's first set of teeth
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by: Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]

History

The Maschinengewehr 08, or lMG 08, was the German Army's standard machine gun in World War I and is an adoption of Hiram S. Maxim's original 1884 Maxim Gun. In WWI the 08 water cooled infantry MG was used as the first model built by the Spandau Arsenal. It was later modified with a fretted gun jacket for use on early German C, E & many W types. It and went into production in 1915. A lower case letter "L" beginning the prefix meant luftgekühlt (air-cooled). The lMG 08s were later used in pairs by the time of the introduction of the Fokker D.III, as fixed and synchronized cowling guns firing through the propeller. These early 7.92mm Spandau Maxims were a bit more beefier in appearance than the LMG 08/15 Luftstreitkräfte standard 7.92mm that followed.

Kit Contents

20 pcs photoetch metal
Instructions one sided plan & exploded view.

One of HGW recent releases is a PE 1:32 version of the aircraft modified "Spandau" Maxim lMG 08 and was origanlly meant for the WNW 1:32 Hansa Brandenburg W.29. But now with the WNW release of the Fok. E.II & E.III kits there is renewed interest. This set can easily modified to the earlier 1915-1916 versions. In all cases disregard the spade grip cocking handle. The original was the older brother to the 08/15 it had a long history even to the early days of WWII.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Good quality PE with fine detailed pieces.
Lows: The general designation by HGW could be misleading.
Verdict: Excellent set for a higher quality details. Well worth the price.
  DESIGN & DETAIL:93%
  INSTRUCTIONS:87%
  PE QUALITY:89%
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: #132073
  Suggested Retail: $6.15
  Related Link: website
  PUBLISHED: Oct 31, 2012
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.97%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.96%

Our Thanks to HGW!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Stephen T. Lawson (JackFlash)
FROM: COLORADO, UNITED STATES

I was building Off topic jet age kits at the age of 7. I remember building my first WWI kit way back in 1964-5 at the age of 8-9. Hundreds of 1/72 scale Revell and Airfix kits later my eyes started to change and I wanted to do more detail. With the advent of DML / Dragon and Eduard I sold off my ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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